Mamiya 6 Potential Winder Fix

andrew moxom · 01-29-2009

Okay, after seeing several posts on here and other forums about the possibility of SK Grimes fixing the known winder problems on the Mamiya 6 camera system. I decided to get the real low down instead of the fiction and rumors i had heard. However this rumor started I don't know, but I sent an email to SK Grimes to see if they had in fact made a replacement winder for this camera for anyone. The answer was no they did not have a project listed in their database for this particular fix. However, it may have been conducted prior to their database being created, and they could certainly look into it!!

Here is the text I received back from them:-

Good Day Andrew,

Thank you for the link. I've been unable to locate a project associate
with this type of repair. It may have been conducted before we instituted the new database.

I would be happy to look into designing/fabricating a replacement lever, but would need a camera on hand to start the process.

Adam

S. K. GRIMES -- MACHINE WORK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS P. O. Box 1724, 32 Mechanic Ave Unit 222 Woonsocket RI, 02895
401-762-0857

So, it maybe possible to fix this problem, but my M6 is working fine for now. I am trying to gauge how many folks would be interested in helping with this effort? I could certainly send mine in as a reference camera, but we would likely need them to see one with the failed parts as well so they know what to replace. Then comes the cost of doing this. If there are enough people willing to absorb the cost of making this part, I think that route might make this more pallatable by all. Especially if we make a larger run of them and have them fitted.

Anyone interested in this??

Andy

morback · 01-29-2009

hi Andrew,

I was a happy M6 owner some time ago, and because I have a tendency of doing stupid things when I try to be smart, I managed to strip my winder on my way to Quebec.

I then sent it to Mark Hama down in Georgia (USA) who repaired it and sent it back to me without any problems.

The winder can be repaired. I don't know why this topic comes up all the time.

m.

wpb · 01-29-2009

I talked to Mamiya in the US, as I needed a replacement cover for the rangefinder adjustment access hole. Yes, indeed, the entire wind mechanism is no longer available as a replacement part, and neither is the collapsible lens mount assembly. But other parts such as the claw that prohibits advancing the gears after the shot still is available. I was informed that in most cases the entire wind mechanism is often not what needs to be replaced unless the camera has suffered extreme damage, such as impact, to that area. On a side note I never had a problem with the wind on my 6, but I did catch the wind lever on the camera bag when storing the camera. I could see how it would be easy to strip out the claw if you did not realize the wind lever had become caught on something. My suggestion is to make sure the wind lever is snug against the body when not in use.

smiling gecko · 07-05-2009

i'd like to be kept "in the loop" about any advance/winder repair news.

i had heard of the folks at grimes before - i think on the forum here - about a different camera needing a fabricated repair piece. sounds like they are wizards at his sort of thing.

one of my mamiya 6 is around twelve years old with near daily use and never a hint of the dreaded "deliciate advance/winder" issue...my other is much, much newer (thank you pablito !!).

the mamiya 6 is a very rugged, very well made camera. mine have made hundreds of thousands of miles in trips back and forth across the usa ( i'm an over-the-road-truck driver) and twice to russia and three times to mexico.

i understand wear and tear and usage will eventually have to be addressed...and would like to hear any news about the advance/winder aspect and other repair topics related to the mamiya 6.

meanwhile, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!

kenneth
NEVER FORGET BESLAN
neverforgetbeslan.org

andrew moxom · 01-29-2009

M, certain parts of the winder can be repaired you are correct. Some parts of it cannot. If you strip the ones that cannot, your camera becomes a paper weight. You were very lucky. Mine is working fine also. I was just trying to unwravel all the fiction and stories behind this great camera system. If a replacement part can be made, why not pursue it so that the winder parts that break can be replaced?